10 Home remedies to treat cracked feet

Cracked feet which are also known as heel fissures are a very common problem and can range in severity from a cosmetic issue to a painful problem. It is a common problem for people of all ages, mostly caused by lack of moisture.

Dry and cracked feet are a sign of lack of attention towards your body and one of the worst nightmares for most women. The skin on the feet tends to become drier as there are no oil glands present there. This dryness causes the skin to crack.

In addition to dry, thickened skin, the problem may be accompanied by symptoms like redness, itching, inflammation and peeling skin.

Causes

Dry skin

Aging

Medical condition

Continuous exposure to water

Being overweight

Lack of moisture

Wearing the wrong types of shoes

Prolonged standing on hard floors

Taking proper precautions right away can prevent cracks from getting deeper and causing bleeding and pain. Here are 10 home remedies for cracked heels. Follow any of these remedies regularly to get smooth and crack free heels.

1. Glycerin and rosewater

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The combination of glycerin and rose water makes an effective home treatment for cracked heels. Glycerin softens the skin, which is why it is widely used in cosmetics. Due to its moisturizing and humectant properties, glycerin works as a great remedy to get rid of cracked feet. Rose water adds vitamins A, B3, C, D, and E as well as antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and antiseptic properties.

Mix equal amounts of glycerin and rose water thoroughly and rub it on your heels and feet daily before going to bed at night.

Make a mixture of equal parts of glycerin, rose water and lemon juice. Apply it on your feet. Leave it on for 20 minutes and wash it off with water. You can also apply in the night before bed.

2. Oatmeal

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Oatmeal has anti-inflammatory and moisturizing properties that help remove dead skin cells and soften the skin. You can treat cracked feet with a homemade foot scrub made from oatmeal. It will help remove dead skin and also keep your feet moisturized.

Mix one tablespoons of powdered oatmeal and some jojoba oil to make a thick paste. Apply the paste to your feet, with special attention to the heels and callused areas. Leave it on for about 30 minutes. Rinse it off with cold water and pat dry your feet. Do this every other day until your cracked feet are healed completely.

Mix one-quarter cup each of honey and olive oil and one-half cup of all-purpose flour in one cup of ground oatmeal. Soak your feet in warm water, exfoliate and then apply this paste. Leave it on for 30 minutes before washing it off with lukewarm water and follow with a moisturizer or foot cream. Repeat a few times a week.

3. Oil massage

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Oil massage on cracked feet is very moisturizing and healing. Olive oil, coconut oil, sesame oil are very useful to treat cracked feet. Oil is a miracle healer and has nourishing properties that make your skin soft and supple. The dryness on your feet’s skin will be removed after a few days. This will prevent your feet from cracking. It is one of the most natural ways to get smooth, soft and healthy heels. It helps moisturize your feet and also fights fungal and bacterial infections, thanks to its antimicrobial and antifungal properties.

Apply some olive oil or coconut oil with the help of a cotton ball and gently massage your feet in a circular motion for 10-15 minutes. Wear a pair of thick cotton socks and wash off after an hour or you keep it overnight and wash it next morning.

4. Milk and Honey exfoliate

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Honey has moisturizing and antibacterial properties, making it an excellent treatment for dry and cracked heels. Honey is considered to be a natural antiseptic that helps heal cracked feet, and its soothing properties help revitalize the skin. Milk and honey are natural moisturizers and honey has the added benefit of also being a natural antibacterial.

Stir one cup of honey and two cups of full fat milk in a foot tub filled with warm water. Soak your feet in the water for 15 to 20 minutes. Scrub your feet gently. Do 3-4 times in a week.

Take one cup of honey and two cups of slightly warm milk and put them into a basin to soak your feet. Make sure to mix these well before putting your feet in. Soak your feet for 10 minutes without interruption and then start to massage your feet as you are soaking them for another five to 10 minutes to help them really absorb the milk and honey and to loosen the dead skin. Once you are done, wash your feet with water, pat them dry and apply a thick moisturizer.

5. Rice flour scrub

Rice flour is a great exfoliator and you can make an all-natural scrub to slough off the dead skin and smooth the skin. Rice flour exfoliates, purifies, and re-mineralizes the skin, making it satin-smooth and soft. Rice flour can be used a part of a homemade exfoliating scrub. Exfoliating the skin on your feet and heels will help remove dead skin, thus preventing cracking and dryness.

Mix two teaspoons of honey, few drops of olive oil and 3 tablespoons of rice flour. Gently exfoliate the feet and wash off with warm water. After patting your feet dry, apply a thick moisturizer.

Mix a handful of ground rice with a few teaspoons of honey and apple cider vinegar and make a paste. If the cracking on your heels is extremely bad, add a tablespoon of olive oil or sweet almond oil. Soak your feet in warm water for 10 minutes and then gently scrub them with the rice flour paste.

Scrub feet with pumice stone. Wash and dry feet. Mix 1 teaspoon petroleum jelly with the juice of 1 lemon. Massage into heels until completely absorbed. Apply this mixture and wear a pair of woolen socks. Keep it on overnight and wash off in the morning. Woolen socks help trap the body’s heat and increase the effectiveness of the mixture. Repeat daily.

7. Banana foot mask

Ripe bananas are one of the cheapest home remedies for cracked and dry heels, thanks to their moisturizing properties. Overripe banana can be put to good use by blending them into a paste and applying on your cracked feet.

Mash one ripe banana into a smooth paste. Clean your feet thoroughly and apply the banana paste on your heels. Leave for 10 to 15 minutes so that your skin can absorb the natural nourishment. Wash your feet gently with some warm water and then soak your feet in cold water for 5 to 10 minutes.

8. Epsom salt

If you have cracked heels, it’s important to take extra care to keep your heels well moisturized. You can do this simply with an Epsom salt or a sea salt. Epsom helps in healing cracked feet as it promotes circulation. The magnesium in Epsom salt promotes skin health and draws out toxins.

Mix one-half cup of Epsom salt in a foot tub filled with warm water. Soak your feet in this solution for 10 minutes. Scrub your feet with a pumice stone and again soak in the foot soak for 10 minutes. Pat your feet dry and apply some foot cream or petroleum jelly to lock in the moisture. For best results, put on a pair of socks to prevent the added moisture from evaporating.

9. Vinegar

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Vinegar can also be used to treat cracked feet as the acetic acid in vinegar helps soften the skin which in turn makes exfoliation easier. Vinegar foot soaks are also beneficial for tired feet. Due to acidic property it can help get rid of dead and dry skin cells from your feet. It will also make your skin soft and beautiful. But do not directly apply it on your heels as the acetic acid in it may dry up the skin further.

Mix one-half to one cup of white or apple cider vinegar in two cups of water. Soak in it for 10 to 15 minutes and then slough off the dead, dry skin with a pumice stone or foot scrubber. Then, wash your feet and pat dry thoroughly. Finally, apply a moisturizer or petroleum jelly.

Make a natural foot scrub. Mix a handful of coarse rice flour, a few tablespoons of raw honey and apple cider vinegar to make a thick paste. You can also add one tablespoon of olive oil to it. Wash your feet well and then gently massage your feet with this paste for a few minutes. Wash it off with lukewarm water. Repeat once or twice a week.

10. Paraffin Wax

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If the condition of the cracks on your heels is really bad and causing a lot of pain, a paraffin wax treatment can provide quick relief. Paraffin wax helped to remove the dead, dry skin and cure cracked feet. It works as a natural emollient to soften your skin and retain the natural oils on the skin.

Melt one block of paraffin wax in a double boiler and mix in two tablespoons of mustard oil or coconut oil. Allow it to cool until a thin layer forms on the top. Now, dip your feet in the mixture, wait for 5 to 10 seconds and dip again. Do this a few times or until you have several layers of wax built up. Cover your feet with a plastic and leave it on for 30 minutes before removing the plastic and peeling off the wax from your skin. Repeat the treatment one or two times a week.

Note: Make sure you do not dip your feet in the paraffin wax mixture when it is hot. Do not use this remedy if you are diabetic or have poor circulation.